Central Catholic Marianist High School
Encyclopedia
Central Catholic High School, is a Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...

, all-male
Sex segregation
Sex segregation is the separation of people according to their sex.The term gender apartheid also has been applied to segregation of people by gender, implying that it is sexual discrimination...

, non-boarding college preparatory school
University-preparatory school
A university-preparatory school or college-preparatory school is a secondary school, usually private, designed to prepare students for a college or university education...

 located in downtown San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...

, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio encompasses in Texas.The archdiocese includes the city of San Antonio and the following counties: Val Verde, Edwards, Kerr, Gillespie, Kendall, Comal, Guadalupe, Gonzales, Uvalde, Kinney, Medina, Bexar, Wilson, Karnes, Frio, Atascosa, and McMullen.On...

.

History

The school began as St. Mary's Institute on March 25, 1852 in rented rooms above a livery stable on Military Plaza.http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/SS/ics1.html The original faculty consisted of Brother Anthony Edel (Founder, First Superior, and First Principal) from Ohio, three Marianist Brothers
Society of Mary (Marianists)
The Society of Mary, a Roman Catholic Marian Society, is a congregation of brothers and priests called The Marianists or Marianist Brothers and Priests. The Society was founded by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade, a priest who survived the anti-clerical persecution during the French Revolution. ...

 from Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Gironde department in southwestern France.The Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, has a population of 1,010,000 and constitutes the sixth-largest urban area in France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture...

, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

 (Nicholas Koenig, Jean-Baptiste Laignounse, and Xavier Mauclerc), and Timothy O'Neil, a layman from San Antonio.

The school moved to a new 2-story building at 112 College Street March 1, 1853. In 1891, the school was re-named St. Mary's College, reflecting its expansion to include boarders and primary and middle school grades. In 1923, the school added boarding students from St. Louis College and was re-named St. Mary's Academy.http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/MM/ixm1.html The site is now a hotel entryway, recognized by Texas Historical Marker #3819 as the location of Old St. Mary's College, or "The Old Academy."

In 1932, the school relocated to a new 3-story brick building on 2.2 acre (0.8903092 ha) at 1403 N. St. Mary's Street and was re-named once more to Central Catholic High School. The third floor was not occupied until 1953. Grade school classes were dropped in 1955. A Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper
Dr Pepper is a soft drink, marketed as having a unique flavor. The drink was created in the 1880s by Charles Alderton of Waco, Texas and first served around 1885. Dr Pepper was first nationally marketed in the United States in 1904 and is now also sold in Europe, Asia, Canada, Mexico, Australia ...

 bottling plant occupied the northeast corner of the site until 1956. On December 6, 1982, the school was incorporated in the State of Texas as Central Catholic Marianist High School. Upon the assumption by Rev. Joseph Tarrillion, SM, of the presidency, the school's name was changed back to Central Catholic High School. The school now occupies over 10 acres (4 ha) after purchase of surrounding properties.

Central Catholic is one of the oldest high schools in San Antonio, and it counts many prominent business and political leaders among its alumni. It was the first all boy's school in San Antonio and remains one of the largest all-male schools in Texas. Texas Historical Marker #788 on the school's front lawn describes the school's history and denotes it as a Texas landmark.

Mascot

The Central Catholic mascot is the Buttons, which is named after baby rattle snakes. When they are first born, a clutch of baby rattlers look like buttons. The mascot pays tribute to St. Mary's University
St. Mary's University, Texas
St. Mary's University is a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts institution located on northwest of downtown San Antonio, Texas, United States. St. Mary’s is a nationally recognized master’s level school ranked among the top colleges in the west for best value and academic reputation by U.S. News...

 in San Antonio, also a Marianist institution, whose mascot is the Rattler.

Athletics

The school boasts a storied athletic tradition and is home to an active student body. At all games the students of Central Catholic stand and cheer together in "Section R". "Section R" was founded in the fall of 1987 by Julio Villareal ('88), Orlando Sanchez ('88), and Carlos Sanchez ('89, no relation) to cheer on the struggling basketball team. To the chagrin of
Central faculty and opposing teams this tradition continues today.

Central competes in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools
Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools
The Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, or TAPPS, is an organization headquartered in Salado, Texas which creates rules for, and sometimes administers, almost all athletic and academic contests for non-public high schools in the American state of Texas...

 (TAPPS). For the 2008-2010 alignment, Central is in Division I District 2 for Winter Soccer and 11 Man Football and 5A District 2 in Baseball, Swimming, Track and Field, Golf, Tennis, and Basketball. Central competes in Cross Country in the TAPPS 5A division.

Central has won seven TAPPS state championships: Cross Country (2007), Football (2001), Golf (2003),Soccer (2007, 2008, 2009), and Track (2001).

From 1935-1995, Central Catholic competed in the Texas Catholic Interscholastic League, winning 25 state championships: Basketball, 15 (1937, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1974, 1975, 1982, 1984, 1991); Baseball, 6 (1954, 1958, 1959, 1976, 1980, 1984); Football, 2 (1970, 1990); Soccer, 1 (1987); and Track, 1 (1982).

In the 2005-06 school year, Central Catholic was home to District and/or Regional champs in seven sports: Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Track, Swimming, Tennis, and Lacrosse.

Golf
The 2009 Varsity Golf team is now working on various different aspects not only on the game itself but about etiquette also. The team practices at not only Pecan Valley and Republic but other various popular courses around San Antonio. This year's team is composed of Juniors and some well picked up coming freshmen.

Cross Country
In 1996, the Cross Country team won the TAPPS State Title for the first time in Central's history. The captain was a senior named John Talafuse and he led the team by winning the race. The team was made up of students from all grade levels, including two freshmen. The Coach was Roger Soler, a former Olympian from Peru, who also owns 5 running stores in San Antonio and South Texas. During the 2006 season, the school's Cross-Country team took the runner-up award at the TAPPS state meet ahead of all South, East, North and Central Texas teams, but losing to El Paso Cathedral by two points. However; in 2007, Central won the TAPPS State Champiosnhip.

Soccer
With Head Coach Kelly Altman alongside Assistant Coach Gilbert Gomez ('84), the school's soccer team won its third consecutive state championship in the 2008-2009 season, defeating Plano John Paul II, 2-1 and finished with a season record of 20-5. Led by captain Daniel Wetesnik, the team also won the state championship in 2007-2008 by defeating Houston St. Thomas by a score of 4-0 in the finals, completing a 22-1-1 season. This season included a victory over Austin Lanier in the East Central tourney during the 2007-2008 season, establishing a new state record for consecutive victories at 32.
In 2006-2007 the team won the state championship after defeating Austin St. Michaels by a score of 5-1. The championship finished up an undefeated season of 22-0-0.

Football
In the 2007 Football Season, Head Coach Carlos Enrico, along with assistant coaches L.D. Green, Charles Pena, Michael Gomez, Lou Garza, David Vela, Don Nelson, and Richard Schoanert, led the Buttons to Central's first undefeated regular season in over thirty years and a #4 ranking in the city. After a 10-0 regular season and the District Championship, the Buttons were defeated by the 2008 TAPPS Division I State Champion Houston St. Pius in the State Semifinals, finishing 11-1. Season highlights include victories over 6 public schools and a crushing defeat of arch-rival Holy Cross
Holy Cross High School (San Antonio, Texas)
Holy Cross High School, is a Catholic, Coeducational, college preparatory school located on the west side of San Antonio, Texas, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio.-History:...

 for the first time in 3 years.

The annual game with Holy Cross
Holy Cross High School (San Antonio, Texas)
Holy Cross High School, is a Catholic, Coeducational, college preparatory school located on the west side of San Antonio, Texas, in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Antonio.-History:...

 is known as "The Holy Bowl." Central Catholic leads the sereis 34-9. First game was played in November 1963 at the old Missions Stadium on a Sunday. Central won that first meeting. The only years that these two teams didn't play were 1974 & 1975 (due to reclassifying the division) and 1994, 1995, 1996, & 1997 due to the intensity of the rivalry.

In 2008, the Buttons posted an 8-2 regular season record with a #7 ranking in the city and averaged 37.9 points per game.The Buttons ended their season losing in the State Semifinals of the playoffs to Dallas Bishop Lynch.

Track and Field
The Central Catholic Track and Field Team has won the District Championship for three consecutive seasons (2006, 2007, and 2008) and the title of State Runner-Up for two consecutive seasons (2007 and 2008). In 2007, the squad's 4x100 Meter and 4x800 Meter Relay Teams each set their respective TAPPS state records (42.96 seconds and 1:29.76, respectively). Both teams also set the school records.

Lacrosse
Central Catholic also has one of the oldest lacrosse teams in the city of San Antonio, claiming a newly formed division title in 2006. The Lacrosse team claimed the district title in 2009 for the newly formed San Antonio district by defeating Reagan Lacrosse. The team eventually lost in the state semi-finals to Stony Point. In 2010, The team ended up making it to the district finals, coming up short against Reagan. The 2011 team lost in the district semi-final to TMI. The lacrosse team is headed by long time coach, Jay McCracken, with many alumni as assistants.

Swimming
Central Catholic has a proud tradition of competitive swimming. Headed by Kevin Gallivan who coached former Olympic athlete Josh Davis. Best Swim team in San Antonio, with the fastest relay at regionals and state. Bryce Phillips is the fastest swimmer to attend Central Catholic High School.

Basketball
Central Catholic is having a good season led by Romy Vela, Moe Harrision, and Nick Plunkett. The team is currently 33-5 (8-0) and ranked #4 out of all schools in the San Antonio area according to the San Antonio Express News. First round of playoffs begin Feb. 19. The team is made up of 9 seniors, Joseph Acevedo, Tommy Berry, Phil Betancourt, Geovan Franco, Robert Johnson, Connor Lynch, Cole Martinez, Jonathan Martinez, and Alec Senioris, and 5 juniors, Josh Benitez, Bryan Colon, Collin Fabac, Matt Hidalgo, and Ryan McLoughlin.

U.S. Army JROTC

Central Catholic is one of only two private schools in the city with a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) unit (T.M.I.: The Episcopal School of Texas is the other) and also bears the distinction of being the oldest JROTC program in the city (established in 1932). It is also the largest Army JROTC program in the nation. Students are required to be enlisted for two years in the corps, third and fourth years being optional. Currently, the unit bears the title of honor unit, placing in the top 50% of nationwide AJROTC units. Although Central Catholic is a single-gender school, female students from Providence High School
Providence High School (San Antonio)
Providence High School is a Catholic, college preparatory high school for girls located in downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA. It is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of The College Board...

, Central Catholic's next door neighbor, may also choose to participate in the program, which was integrated in the 2003-2004 school year. It also has one of only two JROTC units in Texas with its own marching band.

The school is home to the Bordelon Rifles, consisting of two of the top air rifle shooting teams (a precision team and sporter team) in the nation. Shooters on the team consistently place well not only on local levels, but shoot at national and international levels, placing themselves high in rankings for the teams and the shooters themselves. They boast many titles and trophies for their efforts, including the top prize from the American Legion Individual Overall National Championship in 1995, awarded to 1997 graduate Steve Wilson. The teams are named for SSgt. William J. Bordelon
William J. Bordelon
....

, USMC, a Central Catholic graduate who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. The medal is now on display in the atrium of the main building. There is also a highway dedicated in his memorial. There are two signs that display this between I-35 and I-37. It is the first sign to have the insignia of the medal of honor.

The Central Catholic JROTC is also home to the Chaminade Guard (affectionately referred to as "The Machine"), the oldest active military exhibition drill team in the United States. The prestigious drill team was organized in 1938 and named after Bl.
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...

 Fr. William Joseph Chaminade
William Joseph Chaminade
William Joseph Chaminade or Guillaume-Joseph Chaminade, now called by his liturgical title of Blessed Chaminade , was a French Roman Catholic priest who survived persecution during the French Revolution. He founded the Society of Mary, also called the Marianists, in 1817...

, the founder of the Society of Mary. The junior varsity drill team, the Loyd Rifles, was organized in 1961 as a Junior Varsity team when the Guard became too large of a unit. The team is named after First Lieutenant Frank J. Loyd Jr. (class of 1945), another one of Central Catholic's U.S. military heroes.

Mighty Button Band

Part of the Fine Arts Department at Central Catholic, the Button Band performs as a marching band during half-time shows at football games and later in the school year becomes a wind band. In addition, the Button Jazz Band also provides musical support at many community events throughout the year. Besides performing at assemblies, parades and concerts, students also participate in the brass choir and woodwind choir. A variety of music is studied. In the mid 1960's, the Button Band began accepting students from Providence High School
Providence High School (San Antonio)
Providence High School is a Catholic, college preparatory high school for girls located in downtown San Antonio, Texas, USA. It is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of The College Board...

 (an all-girls' school) adjacent to Central Catholic. The great and long history of the Button Big Band has added to the overall success of so many activities at Central Catholic and Providence High School.

School song

With loyal hearts we e'er stand by

Our alma mater Central High.

For her we'll fight right to the end,

Her honor we'll defend.


RAH! RAH!


We'll always strive for victory.

We'll always win her fame,

And add them to her glorious name.

God bless our Central High!

Notable Graduates

  • David W. Biegler , 1964, former CEO of TXU and ENSERCH Corporations
  • William J. Bordelon
    William J. Bordelon
    ....

    , 1938, posthumous recipient of Medal of Honor
    Medal of Honor
    The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

     at Battle of Tarawa
    Battle of Tarawa
    The Battle of Tarawa, code named Operation Galvanic, was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, largely fought from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region....

    , 1943
  • Henry Cisneros
    Henry Cisneros
    Henry Gabriel Cisneros is a politician and businessman. A Democrat, Cisneros served as the 10th Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the administration of President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 1997...

    , 1964, "Boy Mayor" of San Antonio 1981-9, HUD Secretary 1993-1997
  • Solomon Casseb, Jr, 1932, Senior District Judge of Texas
  • Joe Cortez, 1950, Buttons basketball coach 36 years, winningest coach in city history (over 800 wins)
  • Ben Dunn
    Ben Dunn
    Ben Dunn is an American comic book artist. Although born in Taiwan, he grew up in Kentucky, Taiwan and San Antonio, Texas. It was in Taiwan that he was first exposed to Japanese manga. In 1984 he founded Antarctic Press, an American comic book company specializing in Manga-style titles...

    , 1982, American comic book artist and founder of Antarctic Press
    Antarctic Press
    Antarctic Press is a San Antonio-based comic book publishing company which publishes "American Manga" style comic books.Founded by Ben Dunn in 1984, Antarctic Press has produced over 850 titles with a total circulation of over 5 million...

     in San Antonio, TX.
  • Frank D. Frazier, 1947, astronaut candidate, Military Class 4
  • Louis Garza, 1981, 12th round draft pick in the 1985 NFL Draft
    1985 NFL Draft
    The 1985 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 30 and May 1, 1985...

  • Nicholas Gonzalez
    Nicholas Gonzalez
    Nicholas Edward Gonzalez is an Mexican-American actor, best known for playing Alex Santiago in the TV series Resurrection Blvd..-Early life:...

    , 1994, actor
  • Frank Riley Loyd, 1945, posthumous recipient of Distinguished Service Cross
    Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
    The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...

    , Korea, 1950 citation
  • Sonny Melendrez
    Sonny Melendrez
    Sonny Melendrez is an American actor, radio-TV personality, and keynote speaker based in San Antonio, Texas, USA, and is the host of SonnyRadio.com....

    , 1964, Radio Hall of Famer,TV host, actor, writer, and motivational speaker
  • M. Dusty Garza, 1985, Two-Time Emmy Award Nominated Television Producer, Writer, Wall Street Analyst, and Entrepreneur
  • Michael Mery, 1975, San Antonio County Court Judge
  • Robert Skiles, attended 1962-64, musician, "Beto" of the Austin band Beto and the Fairlanes
  • Whitley Strieber
    Whitley Strieber
    Louis Whitley Strieber is an American writer best known for his horror novels The Wolfen and The Hunger and for Communion, a non-fiction account of his perceived experiences with non-human entities. Strieber also co-authored The Coming Global Superstorm with Art Bell, which inspired the film about...

    , 1963, author, screenwriter, UFO abductee
  • William C. Velasquez, 1962, Chicano movement organizer and founder of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project
  • Wayne F.J. Yakes, M.D., 1971, founder of the Vascular
    Vascular
    Vascular in zoology and medicine means "related to blood vessels", which are part of the circulatory system. An organ or tissue that is vascularized is heavily endowed with blood vessels and thus richly supplied with blood....

     Malformation Center at Swedish Medical Center (Colorado)
    Swedish Medical Center (Colorado)
    Swedish Medical Center is a 368 bed acute care hospital located in Englewood, Colorado, United States.It is operated by HealthONE Colorado, a joint venture between Hospital Corporation of America and The Colorado Health Foundation....


External links

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